Pipe cleaning machine and cable retrieving mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

The pipe cleaning machine includes a cable retrieving mechanism which derives its power from the rotational movement of the cable reel and has a cable feed means which is manually actuated into engagement with the cable for retrieving purposes. When the feed means is disengaged, the cable is manually movable into or out of a pipe being cleaned. On completion of a pipe cleaning job the feed means, on being engaged with the cable, automatically retrieves the cable for coiled reception within the cable reel.

[ Dec. 30, 1975 United States Patent Peterson et al.

2,953,799 9/1960 Arnold................ 15/1043 SN 3,206,782 9/1965Larsen.........................

Moines; Tom G i Al b h Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts of IowaAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Rudolph L. Lowell [73] Assignee: Roto RooterCorporation, West Des Moines, Iowa Jan. 27, 1975 22 Fl (1: 1 l e Thepipe cleaning machine includes a cable retrieving PP 5 ,063 mechanismwhich derives its power from the rotational movement of the cable reeland has a cable feed means which is manually actuated into engagementwith the cable for retrieving purposes. When the feed means isdisengaged, the cable is manually movable into or out of a pipe beingcleaned. On completion of a pipe cleaning job the feed means, on beingengaged 42 3 50N4 WW H 4 36 2B 2 8 2 nx m; 4B 3 H RM M1 1 2 M M I, 5 N ZS 5w 3m u 5 0m H mm 2 5 u in c Hr H .e as L C .M e i ll UhF 1. 2 00 555[[l with the cable, automatically retrieves the cable for coiledreception within the cable reel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,282,600 15/1043 SN 6 Claims, 6Drawing Figures US, Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 US. Patent Dec.30, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,928,885

US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 Sheet 3 01 3 3,928,885

\ lll h i 65' I 5/ X J 57 53% 66 23 77 PIPE CLEANING MACHINE AND CABLERETRIEVING MECHANISM THEREFOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The cableretrieving mechanism is of a simple and rugged construction capable ofoperating over a long service life with a minimum of maintenanceattention; and efficient in operation to quickly retrieve cable lengthsof one hundred feet or more from within cleaned pipes. The mechanism iscompact and readily assembled on many different types of pipe cleaningmachines without impairing the appearance or ease of portability of suchmachines. The manual actuator for the mechanism and the switch controlfor the cable reel driving motor are located in close proximity to eachother for convenient accessibility by the machine operator at all timesduring a pipe cleaning operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipecleaning machine showing the cable retrieving mechanism of thisinvention in assembly relation therewith, with parts of the cleaningmachine being broken away for the purpose of clarity; 7

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectionalview of the retrieving mechanism taken online 22 in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional views as seen on the lines 33 and44, respectively, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cable retrievingmechanism; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional View on the line 66 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, there is illus trated a pipecleaning machine 10 having a frame111 formed with a base 12 and upright end sections 13 and 14,hereinafter to be referred to as front and rear end sections,respectively. The rear end section 14 carries an electric motbr 16 inoperative association with a speed reduction unit 17 equipped with apower take' -off shaft 18, which is in driving connection with a cablereel 19. This connection is accomplished by means of a drive arm 21mounted transversely of the shaft 18 and provided with laterallyextended pins 22 for engaging certain ones of the reel spokes 23.

The reel 19 (FIG. 1) includes a hub 24 that is rotatably mounted on theshaft l8 forwardly of the drive arm 21 and includes the radiallyextended spokes 23 and circular struts 27 to form a storage chamber fora flexible cable 28 of a coiled spring construction. A cable guide tube29 has a front linear section 31 and an arcuate rear section 32 thatprojects through a front central opening 33 in the reel cage 26. Theguide tube 29 extends from a point on the forwardly extended center axisof the reel 19 to a point within the reel located near the outerperipheral surface of the reel.

A .rear shaft extension 34 on the from linear extension 31 has a springbiased bearing member 36 at its rear end rotatably supported in the reelhub 24. It is thus seen that the linear front section 31, the shaftextension 34 therefor, the reel hub 24 and the power take-off shaft 18are in axial alignment longitudinally of the machine frame 11. Theforward end of the front linear section 31 of the guide tube 29 iscoupled, as indicated at 37, to the rear end of a tubular shaft 38 thatforms part of the cable retrieving mechanism 39 of this invention (FIGS.2 and 4). The front end 13 of the 2 machine frame 11 (FIG! 1) terminatesin a pair of upwardly converging members 41 of a tubular construction.

A mounting bracket 42, for the mechanism 39, in-

. cludes a hub 43 that has a pair of transversely opposite divergingmembers 44 of a tubular construction of a size to slidably receivetherein the lower ends of the upper portions of the corresponding onesof the tubular members41 (FIGS. 1 and 2). A switch unit 46 forcontrolling the operation of the reel driving motor 16 is mounted on theupper side of the mounting bracket hub 43 with connecting electricalwires (not shown) to the motor 16 being carried in the tubularconstructed frame 11.

The mounting bracket'hub 43 is of a size to snugly receive therein afront tubular extension 47 (FIGS. 3 and 4) formed as an integral part ofa housing 48 for the cable retrieving mechanism 39. The housing 48 isrigidly secured to the front end 13 of the machine frame 11 by clipmembers 49 connected to the tubular members,41 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As bestappears in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 48 has front and rear end walls 51and 52, respectively, side walls 53 and 53a, a top wall 54 and an openbottom 55.

The housing front tubular extension 47 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is provided withbearing members 56 for rotatably supporting therein the tubular shaft38. Integrally formed at the rear end of the tubular shaft 38 andlocated within the housing 48 is a worm gear 57. As thus far described,it is seen that the tubular shaft 38, and in turn the gear 57, arerotatable as a unit with the cable guide 29 about a common axis. Therear housing wall 52 is formed with an opening 58 that has insertedtherein a cable guide sleeve 59 in axial alignment with the tubularshaft 38. The cable 28, therefore, (FIGS. 3 and 4) is linearlyextendible longitudinally through the housing 48 from the guide tube 29.

To withdraw the cable 28 from a pipe (not shown) that has been cleaned,the ietrieving mechanism 39 is provided with a cable feed meanscomprised of an idler roller 61 (FIGS. 3 and 4) rotatably supported onbearings carried on a shaft 62 having its ends in the housing side walls53 and 53a such that the idler roller 61 is adjacent the rear housingwall 52 with its lower side opposite the opening in the cable guideinsert 59.

vThe roller 61 has a concave peripheral surface for engaging the topside of the cable 28 as it travels through the housing 48. Arrangedbelow and opposite the idler roller 61 is a cable feed gear 63 that hasa concave peripheral surface of a contour for contact meshed engagementwith the lower side of the cable 28.

The feed gear 63 is movable into and out of engagement with the lowerside of the cable 28 by means including a pivoted frame structure 64(FIGS. 5 and 6). This frame is of a generally U-shape having side legs66 connected adjacent their free ends by a brace member 67 and formedwith transversely opposite longitudinally spaced pairs of hub members 68and 69. Mounted on the pivoted frame 64 is a gear train that iscomprised of a drive gear 71 and power transmission gears 72 and 73connected together by a "sprocket chain 74.

The frame 64 has what will be referred to as its forward end pivoted ona shaft 77 for up and down pivotal movement of the rear end thereof. Theshaft 77 extends through the front hubs 68 with its opposite endscarried in the housing side walls 53 and 53a. Bearing members '78 on theshaft 77 rotatably support the drive gear 71 3 and front transmissiongear 72 at positions between the legs 66 of the pivoted frame 64 suchthat the drive gear is in a continuous meshed engagement with the powergear 57 on the tubular shaft 38. The cable feed gear 63 and reartransmission gear 73 are also located between the side legs 66 and arerotatably supported on bearings 79 mounted on a shaft 81 carried in therear hubs 69.

Thus, on an up and down pivotal movement of the rear end of the frame 64the feed gear 63 is moved into and out of a meshed engagement with thelower side of the cable 28. In the engaged position, therefore, thecable 28 has opposite sides thereof in engagement with the idler gear 61and feed gear 63, for retrieving movement forwardly through the housing48 and the guide tube 29 for a coiled reception within the reel 19. Whenthe feed gear 63 is disengaged from the cable 28, by a downward pivotalmovement of the rear end of the frame 64, the cable 28 is freelymanually movable in either direction through the housing 48 inengagement with only the idler gear 61 to either retrieve the cable orto feed the cable into a pipe to be cleaned. In this respect, and asshown in FIG. 1, the terminal end of the cable 28 is equipped with acutting unit 82 which is rotated in a single direction within a pipe inresponse to the unirotational movement of the guide tube 29 through itscable connection with the reel 19.

The frame 64 is pivotally moved by an actuating assembly (FIGS. 3 and 5)that includes a first link 83 extended longitudinally of the housing 48adjacent the side wall 53 and a second vertical link 84 projectedthrough the housing top wall 54 at a position adjacent the rear wall 52and side wall 53 with its lower end pivotally connected at 86 with therear end of the longitudinal link 83. The front end of the longitudinallink 83 is formed with a longitudinally extended slot for slidablyreceiving therethrough the shaft 77. With its forward end thus slidablysupported on the shaft 77, the longitudinal link' 83 is arranged to oneside of the pivoted frame 64 with its rear end located below and inbearing engagement with a projected end 87 of the shaft 81 (FIG. 6). Itis seen,.therefore, that in response to a vertical movement of thevertical link 84 and resultant pivotal movement of the rear end of thepivoted frame 64, the feed gear 63 is moved into and out of feedingengagement with the cable 28.

To vertically move the link 84, the projected upper end thereof isextended in axial alignment through a circular cam member 88 secured tothe upper surface of the housing top wall 54 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). Acoacting cam member 89 mounted on the projected end of the vertical link84 has a radially extended actuator arm 91. The adjacent cam surfaces ofthe cams 88 and 89 are of a like contour formed with corresponding highand low sides. When these cam surfaces are in flush mating engagement,as shown in FIG. 4, the pivoted frame 64 is in its lowermost pivotallymoved position wherein the feed gear 63 is out of engagement with thecable 28. On movement of the actuator arm 91 to move the correspondinghigh and low cam sides of the cam surfaces to positions opposite eachother, as shown in FIG. 3, the pivoted frame 64 is in its uppermostpivotally moved position wherein the feed gear 63 is in meshedengagement with the coiled spring cable 28. These moved positions of thepivoted frame 64 are determined by adjustment of an adjusting nut 92threadable on the vertical link 84 for engagement with the top side ofthe cam member 89. Adjustment of the nut 92 is maintained by anassociated locking nut 93.

When the machine 10 is to be used for a pipe cleaning operation, theparts of the retrieving mechanism 39 are in the positions of FIG. 4wherein the cable 28 is in contact only with the idler roller 61. Onoperation of the reel driving motor 16, therefor, the guide tube 29,tubular shaft 38 and the gear train on the pivoted frame 64 arecontinuously rotated. With the reel 19 and guide tube 29 rotating in thesame direction the cable 28 is manually movable outwardly from thehousing 48 for feeding into a pipe to be cleaned. As is well-known, theunidirectional movement of the reel and guide tube additionally providesfor a like rotational movement of the cable 28 to rotate the cutter 82at its terminal end. On completion of the pipe cleaning operation themanual actuator arm 91 is manipulated to move the cam members 88 and 89from their positions of FIG. 4 to their positions of FIG. 3. Since thefeed gear 63 is in continuous operation, the cable 28 is retrievedimmediately on being engaged by the feed gear.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be solimited since changes and modifications can be made therein which arewithin the full intended scope of this invention as defined by theappended claims.

We claim:

1. In a pipe cleaning machine having a frame, a reel for a coiled springcable rotatable on said frame, power means on said frame for rotatingsaid reel in one direction, and a cable guide tube rotatable on saidframe having one end portion coaxial with the axis of said reel and anopposite end portion extended within and terminating adjacent the outerperipheral surface of the reel; a cable retrieving mechanism comprising:

a. a housing fixed on said frame adjacent the one end portion of saidguide tube having a pair of oppositely arranged end walls,

b. a tubular shaft rotatably supported on and extended through one ofsaid end walls in a coaxial relation with said reel, said other end wallhaving a cable receiving opening in axial alignment with said shaft withthe length of cable within said opposite end portion of the guide tubeand coiled within said reel providing for the rotation of the guide tubewith said reel,

c. means coupling said tubular shaft with the one end portion of theguide tube for rotation with said guide tube,

d. a cable feed means in said housing movable into and out of engagementwith a cable to move the cable in only one direction through said endwall opening into said housing and axially through said tubular shaftinto said guide tube for coiled reception within said reel, and

e. means connecting said tubular. shaft in continuous driving engagementwith said cable feed means.

2. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein:

a. said cable feed means includes an idler roller within said housinghaving a concave peripheral surface in continuous engagement with oneside of said cable, and a feed gear having a serrated concave peripheralsurface engageable with the opposite side of said cable, and

b. said connecting means includes a drive gear rotatably supportedwithin said housing for continuous engagement with said tubular shaft,

c. pivoted means within said housing supporting said feed gear forpivotal movement about the axis of said drive gear into and out ofengagement with said opposite side of the cable, and

d. means on said pivoted means connecting said drive gear with said feedgear.

3. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 2,

including:

a. manually actuated means for pivoted moving said pivoted means to movesaid feed gear into and out of engagement with said opposite side of thecable having an actuator located exteriorly of said housmg.

4. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 1,

wherein:

a. said cable feed means includes an idler roller rotatably supported insaid housing for continuous rolling engagement with one side of saidcable and a feed gear arranged opposite said idler roller for engagementwith the opposite side of said cable, and

b. said connecting means includes a pivoted frame structure within saidhousing,

c. pivot means pivotally supporting one end of said frame structure onsaid housing adjacent said one end wall thereof for pivotal movement ofthe other end wall thereof toward and away from the idler roller aboutan axis normal to the axis of said tubular shaft,

d. means rotatably supporting said feed gear on the other end of saidframe structure,

e. a drive gear rotatably supported on said pivot means,

f. a power gear on said tubular shaft located within said housing incontinuous meshed engagement with said drive gear,

g. means on said frame structure connecting said drive gear in a drivingrelation with said feed memher, and

it. means for pivotally moving said frame structure including a manualactuator member arranged exteriorly of said housing.

5. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 4,

wherein:

a. said feed gear, in one pivotally moved position of said framestructure, in one pivotally moved position of said frame structure, isin driving engagement with said cable, and in a second pivotally movedposition of said frame structure is disengaged from said cable wherebyin said one position of the frame structure the cable is movable in onedirection into said reel by the coaction of said idler roller and feedgear, and in the second position of the frame structure the cable ismanually movable in either direction.

6. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 4,

wherein:

a. said housing has a top wall, and

b. said means for pivotally moving the frame structure includesadditionally a first link member slidably extended through said top wallwith the lower end thereof positioned within said housing;

c. a second link member within said housing arranged longitudinally ofsaid frame structure having one end movably supported on said pivotmeans and an opposite end in bearing engagement with the underside ofthe opposite end of the frame structure,

d. means pivotally connecting the lower end of said first link memberwith the opposite end of said second link member, and

e. coacting means on said first link member and housing for linearlymoving said first link member in response to an actuation of saidactuator member.

1. In a pipe cleaning machine having a frame, a reel for a coiled springcable rotatable on said frame, power means on said frame for rotatingsaid reel in one direction, and a cable guide tube rotatable on saidframe having one end portion coaxial with the axis of said reel and anopposite end portion extended within and terminating adjacent the outerperipheral surface of the reel; a cable retrieving mechanism comprising:a. a housing fixed on said frame adjacent the one end portion of saidguide tube having a pair of oppositely arranged end walls, b. a tubularshaft rotatably supported on and extended through one of said end wallsin a coaxial relation with said reel, said other end wall having a cablereceiving opening in axial alignment with said shaft with the length ofcable within said opposite end portion of the guide tube and coiledwithin said reel providing for the rotation of the guide tube with saidreel, c. means coupling said tubular shaft with the one end portion ofthe guide tube for rotation with said guide tube, d. a cable feed meansin said housing movable into and out of engagement with a cable to movethe cable in only one direction through said end wall opening into saidhousing and axially through said tubular shaft into said guide tube forcoiled reception within said reel, and e. means connecting said tubularshaft in continuous driving engagement with said cable feed means. 2.The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 1 wherein: a. said cablefeed means includes an idler roller within said housing having a concaveperipheral surface in continuous engagement with one side of said cable,and a feed gear having a serrated concave peripheral surface engageablewith the opposite side of said cable, and b. said connecting meansincludes a drive gear rotatably supported within said housing forcontinuous engagement with said tubular shaft, c. pivoted means withinsaid housing supporting said feed gear for pivotal movement about theaxis of said drive gear into and out of engagement with said oppositeside of the cable, and d. means on said pivoted means connecting saiddrive gear with said feed gear.
 3. The pipe cleaning machine accordingto claim 2, including: a. manually actuated means for pivoted movingsaid pivoted means to move said feed gear into and out of engagementwith said opposite side of the cable having an actuator locatedexteriorly of said housing.
 4. The pipe cleaning machine according toclaim 1, wherein: a. said cable feed means includes an idler rollerrotatably supported in said housing for continuous rolling engagementwith one side of said cable and a feed gear arranged opposite said idlerroller for engagement with the opposite side of said cable, and b. saidconnecting means includes a pivoted frame structure within said housing,c. pivot means pivotally supporting one end of said frame structure onsaid housing adjacent said one end wall thereof for pivotal movement ofthe other end wall thereof toward and away from the idler roller aboutan axis normal to the axis of said tubular shaft, d. means rotatablysupporting said feed gear on the other end of said frame sTructure, e. adrive gear rotatably supported on said pivot means, f. a power gear onsaid tubular shaft located within said housing in continuous meshedengagement with said drive gear, g. means on said frame structureconnecting said drive gear in a driving relation with said feed member,and h. means for pivotally moving said frame structure including amanual actuator member arranged exteriorly of said housing.
 5. The pipecleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein: a. said feed gear, inone pivotally moved position of said frame structure, in one pivotallymoved position of said frame structure, is in driving engagement withsaid cable, and in a second pivotally moved position of said framestructure is dis-engaged from said cable whereby in said one position ofthe frame structure the cable is movable in one direction into said reelby the coaction of said idler roller and feed gear, and in the secondposition of the frame structure the cable is manually movable in eitherdirection.
 6. The pipe cleaning machine according to claim 4, wherein:a. said housing has a top wall, and b. said means for pivotally movingthe frame structure includes additionally a first link member slidablyextended through said top wall with the lower end thereof positionedwithin said housing; c. a second link member within said housingarranged longitudinally of said frame structure having one end movablysupported on said pivot means and an opposite end in bearing engagementwith the underside of the opposite end of the frame structure, d. meanspivotally connecting the lower end of said first link member with theopposite end of said second link member, and e. coacting means on saidfirst link member and housing for linearly moving said first link memberin response to an actuation of said actuator member.